Village Website
The parish councils of Woolpit, Elmswell, Beyton and Thurston have come together with Vertas to address the problems caused by our poor scheduled bus service. Vertas has made the minibuses available to us in the mornings and early afternoons when they are not required to do their usual job of taking children to and from school.
Pickup on the Woolpit ‘triangle’ at 9.40am arriving on Angel Hill in Bury about 10.15. Returns from Bury at 1.30 from Angel Hill.
Booking a seat - This is not a scheduled bus service - therefore booking is essential at least 2 days in advance. The minibus can take wheelchairs. Elmswell is providing a central point for bookings.
To book a seat ring the Elmswell Parish office 01359244134 weekdays between 8am and 4 pm or email clerk@elmswell.suffolk.gov.uk
Cost - The return fare from Woolpit will be £6 to be paid in advance. (Sorry no bus passes)
The driver cannot take payment for the journey. You can pay in advance by cheque or cash via the Elmswell or Woolpit Parish Council offices or by BACS. If you have made a booking, you can pay WPC by a cheque or cash. If the office is closed, just put your payment in an envelope (marked with your name and date of travel) for the Parish Clerk into the Institute letter box.
As this is a trial, we need your feedback – good or bad. You can tell Peggy Fuller the Parish Clerk, Julia Ewans or Trace Gardiner about how your journeys went.
We are told that Dan's Coaches are planning to run a scheduled bus service No.390 to Stowmarket on Mondays and Thursdays beginning on 4th September. Picking up in the centre of Woolpit at about 10.50 on Mondays and 11.20 on Thursdays. Copies of the timetable will go up at the bus stops or you can find more information at Suffolk On Board Suffolk on Board - Bus / Bus timetable updates
6-8 October 2023
The 49th annual Woolpit Festival tickets are now on sale at Elm Tree Gallery, also immediately after the AGM at the Festival Launch
in the Institute on Saturday 2nd September from 12noon to 2pm.
Programme details on website https://woolpit-festival.com/latest-festival-news/
or phone Lionel at 01359 241206
The gate between the new and old carparks is now closed. It was never intended that the access to the new car park would be from Heath Road. When ever possible, please use the new larger car park at the back which is accessed via Old Stowmarket Road.
In the old car park, all parking spaces on the Heath Road side of the bin store are for the disabled.
National Highways work on A14 concrete surface repairs and maintenance.
Work has begun. There will be a contraflow to minimise disruption and keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible. A contraflow is when the road is shut in one direction and traffic is then moved over to drive on the other side of the road to share the remaining carriageway. This provides a clear working area. The speed limit through the contraflow section will be 50mph to ensure the safety of our workers and the travelling public. Once in place, the contraflow will allow one lane travelling in each direction 24/7 whilst work is carried out on the opposite closed carriageway.
Unfortunately, National Highways expect delays of up to 60 minutes during peak travel times.
There will be electronic message signs along the A14 and surrounding trunk road network to encourage drivers to use alternative routes.
If you have any questions about the project, you can contact the 24/7 National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000.
formation is available on the website https://nationalhighways.co.uk
It’s important to always keep an eye out for scams. They can and do affect anyone. Something might be a scam if:
How to protect yourself from scams
There is more information on how to protect yourself from scams on the Citizens Advice website. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scamsadvice
Friends Against Scams also have advice on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams. www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk
If you need advice, or want to report a scam or rogue trader,
call us via 0808 223 1133.
If you have any concerns about a company that has contacted you, call us via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
There is more useful information on the Trading standards website click here
The company has created a Community Liaison Service which you can contact with questions and concerns.
The email address is community@buryroad-woopit.co.uk.
Phone number 0800 0352874.
The website is www.buryroad-woolpit.co.uk
Warm Homes Suffolk wants to help the people of Suffolk live in homes that cost less to heat, so they can reduce their energy usage and enjoy lower bills.
There is advice available at ww.warmhomessuffolk.org for householders, renters and landlords.
Grants to help insulate and make your property more energy efficient are available.
The cost of energy and food is so high now. With the kids home from school for the summer, I’m having to pay more for lunches and snacks. I’m worried about how I’ll put food on the table. I’m on a prepayment meter and I’m really scared we’re going to be left without any gas or electric if I can’t top up. What can I do?
First of all, we are really sorry to hear how tough things have been for you. You’re doing the right thing in reaching out for support and there are things you can get help with.
As a prepayment meter customer, your energy supplier will be able to give you temporary credit if you can’t afford to top up your meter. They might add this to your meter automatically, but if they don’t, you can call them and ask them to do this.
If you run out of temporary credit, speak to your supplier to explain your situation. They may give you extra temporary credit if you’re struggling with living costs. There are other reasons why they might give you extra credit too, including if you’re disabled, have a long-term health condition, or you have children under the age of 5. You’ll have to pay back anything extra you get, but you can agree how to do this in a way you can afford with your supplier.
As you say, the cost of living is really high but there is help available. If you pay council tax and you’re in bands A-D, you should get a payment of £150 automatically. It could take until the end of September, but if you've not had it already you might need to make a claim.
You might also be able to get help from the Household Support Fund, which helps those experiencing financial hardship. They can offer support with energy bills, with food or other essentials.
For more information on the £150 payment or the Household Support Fund, email Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Council on housingsolutions@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk or call 0300 123 4000.
There’s more government support coming from October in the form of a £400 payment to help you with your energy bills. If you have a prepayment meter, you’ll be given vouchers in the first week of each month from October, via text, email or post. Make sure your energy company has your up-to-date details.
To help manage other costs, it’s also worth checking you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to. There are benefits calculators you can use online or Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk can complete a benefit check for you. If you can’t afford to buy food, Citizens Advice also can help you get a referral for a food bank.
We know this is an extremely worrying time and everyone’s situation is different. Don’t struggle alone.
The scheme has now been launched. Here are the contact details
WGNS mobile phone 07738756470
Operational 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday
If calling outside of these hours leave a message.
In the event of an emergency call 999
Michael J. Perry has announced his retirement and the closure of the business.
He has written this short history of the firm which you will find in the History pages by clicking here.
You can find the new timetable on the website (Click here for Bins)
Please read the report on the defibrillators in the Information Section (Click here) before you find yourself in an emergency
We would like to start a village photo gallery.
Here are a couple to get us started.
Blue door with wreath
And let us have village news for publication.
